Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 19, 2026
14:09
Tilt Testing with Combined Lower Body Negative Pressure: a "Gold Standard" for Measuring Orthostatic Tolerance
Published on: March 21, 2013
22.0K
Orthostatic hypotension associated with executive dysfunction in mild cognitive impairment
Christian Bocti1, François Pépin2, Maxime Tétreault3
1Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Canada; Memory Clinic, Division of Geriatric Medicine, University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke, Canada; Research Center on Aging, University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke, Canada.
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|November 8, 2017
Summary
Orthostatic hypotension (OH) prevalence increases with cognitive decline severity. In mild cognitive impairment (MCI), OH is linked to poorer executive functions, suggesting it may be an under-recognized factor in cognitive performance.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Geriatrics
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Midlife hypertension is a known risk factor for dementia.
- Chronic hypotension in the elderly is linked to dementia onset.
- Orthostatic hypotension (OH) may impact cognitive function in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between orthostatic hypotension and cognitive functions.
- To assess OH prevalence across different cognitive impairment severities.
Main Methods:
- Included 120 memory clinic participants with complete neuropsychological evaluations.
- Defined OH as a blood pressure drop of ≥20/10mmHg.
- Classified participants into subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or dementia groups.
Main Results:
- OH prevalence was 0% in SCI, 26% in MCI, and 38% in dementia.
- In MCI, OH correlated with lower executive function performance (visual working memory, processing speed, Stroop flexibility, Trail-Making Test B).
- OH was associated with hypertension and antihypertensive medication use; no differences in vascular brain injury were noted.
Conclusions:
- Orthostatic hypotension prevalence correlates with the severity of cognitive deficits.
- OH is associated with executive function deficits in mild cognitive impairment.
- OH may be an under-recognized factor influencing cognitive performance.
Keywords:
AgingCognitionDementiaMild cognitive impairmentOrthostatic hypotensionVascular cognitive impairmentMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Alterations in Blood Pressure
2.3K
Alterations in blood pressure, such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and hypotension (low blood pressure), significantly affect human health. Understanding these conditions' classifications, causes, and symptoms is essential for effective management and treatment.
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Hypertension occurs when blood pressure readings consistently exceed the normal range. It is diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (the top number, indicating pressure while the heart...
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Hypertension occurs when blood pressure readings consistently exceed the normal range. It is diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (the top number, indicating pressure while the heart...
2.3K
01:24Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
1.2K
Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), involve the gradual and irreversible destruction of neurons in particular brain areas. These disorders exhibit standard features like proteinopathies, selective vulnerability of some neurons, and an interaction of intrinsic properties, genetics, and environmental influences in neural injury.
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
1.2K
01:15Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
289
Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...
289
01:27Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
244
Age-related pharmacokinetic changes are extensively documented, but understanding age-related pharmacodynamic alterations is relatively limited. This knowledge gap can be partly attributed to the complexity of developing appropriate measures of drug responses compared to bioanalytical methods for determining drug concentrations.Most information regarding age-related differences in human pharmacodynamics originates from cross-sectional studies. However, these studies assume that observed mean...
244
01:30Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists
680
Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function.
680
01:18Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System
1.6K
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is an intricate network of nerves that controls functions such as the regulation of heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure regulation. When this system malfunctions, it can lead to various disorders that affect multiple bodily functions. One common feature of many autonomic disorders is the involvement of smooth blood vessels, which play a crucial role in regulating blood flow throughout the body.
Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's...
Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's...
1.6K